Pundit said Brazil No 9 was slow, cannot shoot and should be replaced but his
thoughts did not go down well with Fred's team-mate

Brazil's Dani Alves has hit out at former England striker Alan Shearer, saying his comments about striker Fred were some of the stupidest he had ever heard.

Shearer told ESPN last week the Brazil No 9 was slow, cannot shoot and should be replaced.

Although he has a good scoring record for Brazil over the last year, the Fluminense forward is not known for his mobility and he drew a blank in Brazil's first two games, a 3-1 win over Croatia and a 0-0 draw with Mexico.

"I just don't understand why Brazil are still picking him," Shearer said. "He doesn't move, he doesn't shoot and he's dragging the team down. I don't know if Brazil should change the system or play Neymar as a false nine, but the fact is that Fred is not the answer for what they are doing now."

The comments riled Brazilian players and Alves hit back on Saturday, saying a former professional should know better than to criticise.

"Those comments are some of the most idiotic that anyone can ever say," Alves said.

"Someone who played football, who knows how difficult it is to be a football player, how difficult it is to beat opponents, compete, score goals, it's a shame for football and a lack of respect for his colleagues that play the game. It's something to be ashamed of."

Brazil sit top of Group A on goal difference from Mexico.

The hosts play Cameroon and Mexico face Croatia on Monday in the final games. The group winners will face either Chile or the Netherlands in the last 16.